http://platypus1917.org/wp-content/uploads/readings/demilio_captialismgayid.pdf
Our class discussion on American consumerism, particularly the frivolous lifestyle it creates, led me to another, related question. I acknowledge that there are systems of consumerism that surround us, adding burden to our lives that does necessarily equate to real value and personal meaning; however, I believe that DeGraff hinges his argument in “Affluenza” hinges on many assumptions of the stereotypical nuclear family. John D’Emilio’s “Capitalism and Gay Identity” argues that America’s system of capitalism allowed individuals to develop lifestyles outside of the traditional concept of the family; he continues to argue that some of these people were now able to pursue what we call the modern gay identity. Ignoring complications of sexual orientation arguments, D’Emilio presents an idea that consumerism allowed for a diversification of the way people live their lives. I believe that our system of American consumerism and our capitalist identity do have powerful, potential negative effects on our society, but I also believe that many new ways of living are now possible that were not years ago. As DÉmilio suggests, “. . . that the relationship between capitalism and the family is fundamentally contradictory. On the one hand, capitalism continually weakens the material foundation of family life, making it possible for individuals to live outside the family, and for a lesbian and gay male identity to develop.””(pg. 110)
How people decide to spend their money is first dependent on their financial responsibilities, and then the rest of their income can be used as they please based on their perceived wants. We explored the ways people chose to spend the money they have, and sometimes the money they don’t, in “Affluenza”. However, what if a consumer does not have the financial responsibilities of a family? What if his or her income is more than suitable and leaves them with a lot of free time to pursue personal goals? With this concept in mind, consumerism and capitalism are the tools people use to find fulfillment, rather than forces that drive unhappiness and meaningless purchase. D’Emilio argues that consumerism and wage labor allowed people to make money for some of their time, so they could live the rest of their time as they pleased. This concept would be incredible foreign to Americans before the rule of capitalism and wage labor; at that time the family was run as a small business. Women had to prepare food, men had to complete some sort of task, and children had school and then family chores. When people could step out of this picture and start using their individual wages for individual goals, worlds of opportunity were created to explore different ways to live life entirely.
I challenge the class on my stance of whether they feel that although consumption may drive family units apart, it has opened my possibilities for individual expression as demonstrated by the gay community.
Matthew Gomez
Monday Section
